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Alexander 


Pageant  of  Lincoln 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


THE  PAGEANT  OF  LINCOLN 


Presented  by 


The  Lincoln  Commercial  Club 


AND 


The  Alumni  Association 


OF  THE 


University  of  Nebraska 


LINCOLN.  NEBRASKA 
June  4,  5.  1915 


To  the  untiring  efforts  of  Professor  Robert  D.  Scott,  Miss 
Bessie  ]'ark  and  Miss  Charlotte  Whedon  in  conjunction  with  the 
generous  co-operation  of  Professor  Ciare  B.  Cornell,  Mrs.  Carrie 
Raymond  and  Miss  Sarah  Hayden  is  due  the  success  of  this,  the 


first  Pageant  of  Lincoln. 


RoBT.  D.  Scott 
Director  of  the  Pageant 


Bessie  F.  Park 
Asst.  Director  of  the  Pageant 


THE  PAGEANT  COMMITTEE 


^/rO 


GUY  E.   REED.   Manager 

HARTLEY  B.  ALEXANDER,  Book 

HOWARD  I.  KIRKPATRICK,  Music 

ROBERT  D.  SCOTT.   Pageant  Director 

CHARLOTTE  WHEDON.   Dances 

BESSIE  F.  PARK.  Ballet 

LOUISE  POUND,  Specialties 

MRS.  P.  V.  M.  RAYMOND.  Chorus 

CLARE  B.  CORNELL.  Orchestra 

SARA  SHEWELL  HAYDEN.  Costume 

LILY  YONT.  Wardrobe 

T  A.  WILLIAMS.  Properties 

B.  A.   GEORGE.   Scene  and  Seating 

BERNICE  M.  BRANSON,  Poster 


/a  s 


KJiKJ!  ■ 


THE  FOUNDING  OF  LINCOLN 

A  Dramatic  Pageant 


bcx)k:  by 
HARTLEY  B.  ALEXANDER 

MUSIC  BY 

HOWARD  I.  KIRKPATRICK 


THE  PAGEANT  OF  LINCOLN 

Tlie  Pageant  of  the  Founding-  of  Lincoln  is  partly  sym- 
bolical, partly  historical.  The  symbolical  scenes  are  set  to 
music  and  make  free  use  of  allegory ;  the  historical  scenes 
are  dramatic  in  form,  and  they  aim  to  be  vividly  reminis- 
cent of  the  events  of  early  days  rather  than  to  reproduce 
these  events  with  fidelity. 

The  pageant  is  designed  in  six  scenes,  dividing  into  three 
groups  of  two  scenes  each.  The  first  and  third  of  these 
groups  are  musical  and  symbolical,  the  second  is  dramatic 
and  historical.  Intermissions  occur  after  the  second 
and  fourth  scenes,  thus  separating  the  central  historical 
drama  from  its  symbolical  setting.  Trees  and  greenery  are 
the  only  background  for  the  symbolical  scenes ;  for  the  his- 
torical, which  are  supposed  to  take  place  in  the  village  of 
Lancaster  on  the  site  of  the  central  part  of  Lincoln,  a  few 
scenic  adjuncts  are  employed. 

The  performance  opens  with  an  orchestral  overture, 
brilliant  in  tone  and  strongly  suggestive  of  the  vigor  and 
ambition  which  prompted  the  settlement  and  founding  of  a 
commonwealth  in  what  has  been  called  "the  Great  American 
Desert."  The  first  scene  opens  with  the  appearance  of  the 
Spirit  of  Progress  accompanied  by  Spirits  of  Adventure, 
symbolizing  the  new  advance  on  the  westward  course  of 
empire  and  civilization.  "Westward  Ho!"  the  song  which 
they  sing  as  they  enter,  to  martial  and  inspiring  music,  gives 
to  the  scene  its  title.  Following  on  the  entrance  of  Prog- 
ress and  the  Adventures  there  appear  the  Prairie  Sprites, 
as  it  were  springing  up  from  the  sod.  These  are  a  group  of 
dancers  who  seek,  by  allurement  and  charms,  to  persuade 
the  Adventures  to  stay  their  journey  and  yield  to  the  beau- 
ties of  the  summertime  prairies.  The  Adventures  succumb; 
they  decide  that  Nebraska  is  to  be  their  home;  and  in  token 
of  their  assent  they  join  w  itli  the  Prairies  in  the  "Hymn  to 
Nebraska,"  which  closes  Scene  L 

There  is  no  intermission  between  Scenes  I  and  IT.  Scene 
II  is  entitled  "The  Salt  C'.atherers" ;  and  it  represents  a 
hunting  band  of  r)niaha   Indians  coming  to   ."^alt   Creek  to 


gather  salt  for  preserving  meat  for  the  winter.  In  this  scene 
not  only  is  the  most  striking  natural  feature  of  the  site  of 
Lincoln  indicated,  but  the  aboriginal  predecessors  of  the 
white  man  are  represented,  for  whom  the  locality  was  of 
jgreat  importance  as  a  source  of  salt;  and  indeed  the  pres- 
ence of  salt  and  salt-works  in  the  vicinity,  which  was  in  the 
state's  earlier  days  a  matter  of  exaggerated  importance, 
was  one  of  reasons  which  led  to  the  choice  of  the  site  for 
the  capital  city.  The  scene  opens  with  the  entrance  of  the 
hunting  band  singing  a  marching  song,  which  is  written  to 
a.  very  beautiful  Omaha  Indian  melody.  Scouts  announce  the 
proximity  of  "Niskithe  ke,"  Salt  Creek,  a  halt  is  called, 
.and  the  gathering  of  the  salt  is  represented  in  a  mimetic 
dance.  Following  this  an  old  man  prophecies  the  coming  of 
the  white  man's  city,  to  be  known  to  the  Omahas  as  "Nis- 
kithe"; and  the  band  resumes  its  journey.  The  music  for 
this  scene  is  throughout  built  up  on  Indian  melodies  and 
rhythms,  the  greater  portion  of  them  taken  from  the  Oma- 
has and  therefore  of  Nebraska  origin.  An  intermission 
marks  the  close  of  the  first  part  of  the  pageant. 

Scene  III  is  supposed  to  take  place  in  front  of  the  house 
of  Captain  \Vm.  T.  Donovan,  in  the  village  of  Lancaster, — 
the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Nebraska  State  Journal  build- 
ing,— on  June  29,  1867.  The  first  state  legislature  had  just 
passed  a  bill  authorizing  the  removal  of  the  capital  from 
Omaha  to  a  site  to  be  selected  in  the  area  comprised  in  Sew- 
ard, Lancaster  and  the  southern  half  of  Butler  and  Saunders 
counties.  Governor  David  Butler,  Secretary  of  State  Thos. 
P.  Kennard,  and  State  Auditor  John  Gillespie  were  ap- 
pointed a  commission  to  choose  the  site.  The  name  of  the 
new  city  was  to  be  Lincoln,  after  the  martyred  president. 
The  commission  made  a  trip  through  the  designated  terri- 
tory, and  on  June  29  came  to  the  village  of  Lancaster,  and 
in  the  house  of  Captain  Donovan  voted  the  present  location 
of  the  capital.  Lancaster  had  been  settled  in  1864  by  a 
group  of  enthusiasts  under  the  leadership  of  Elder  J.  M. 
Young  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  denomination,  who 
came  thither  with  the  quixotic  intention  of  founding  a 
girl's  school,  a  building  for  which  was  actually  erected  by 


them,  under  the  name  of  the  Lancaster  Female  Seminary 
Association.  It  was  that  very  spring,  1864,  that  Elder 
Young  had  met  the  future  state  auditor,  John  Gillespie,  at 
Nebraska  City,  and  in  response  to  Gillespie's  surprised 
query  as  to  what  he  was  doing  in  the  Salt  Creek  wilderness, 
he  replied :  ''Oh,  I  am  founding  a  colony  out  there,  and  am 
building  a  female  seminary.  We  will  soon  have  the  county 
seat,  and  will  have  the  capital  there  some  day." 

Such,  in  general,  is  the  historical  background  of  Scene 
III,  the  central  incidents  of  which  are  the  arrival  of  the 
Commissioners,  the  taking  of  the  vote  at  the  house  of  Cap- 
tain Donovan,  and  the  annoimcement  of  their  decision. 
But  a  dramatic  interest  is  given  to  the  event  by  the  sharp 
rivalries  of  the  time.  Other  settlements  besides  Lancaster 
were  strong  candidates  for  the  honor.  Governor  Butler  is 
said  to  have  inclined  toward  Yankee  Hill,  which  was  the 
choice  of  the  largest  South  Platte  town,  Nebraska  City. 
Auditor  Gillespie  stood  for  Ashland,  Plattsmouth's  favorite. 
The  competition  between  Yankee  Hill  and  Lancaster  was 
especially  keen,  and  was  dramatically  enhanced  by  the  fact 
that  the  Commissioners  came  direct  from  Yankee  Hill, 
where  they  had  been  royally  entertained ;  indeed.  Secretary 
Kennard,  who  was  strongly  for  Lancaster,  records  that 
"after  we  had  arisen  from  the  table,  a  very  beautiful  young- 
lady  came  around  and  took  hold  of  my  arm,  with  the  query: 
'Now,  Mr.  Secretary,  you  won't,  after  being  entertained  so 
nicely  as  you  have  been  here  today,  go  over  to  Lancaster  and 
locate  the  capital  there,  will  you?'  jVIy  answer  required  all 
the  diplomacy  of  which  I  was  master,"  he  adds. 

The  characters  who  are  introduced  in  the  scene  include, 
besides  the  Commissioners,  the  beautiful  young  lady  from 
Yankee  Hill,  dramatically  known  as  "Mollie" ;  Ibm.  John 
Cadman,  member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature,  and  I.  W. 
h'ield  and  wife,  also  of  Yankee  Hill;  from  Nebraska  City, 
James  Sweet,  who  represented  Nebraska  City  ca])italisls 
interested  in  the  project  and  who  became  a  menil)cr  of  Lin- 
coln's first  banking  firm,  and  August  Harvey,  who  acted  as 
clerk  to  the  Commission  and  supervised  the  laying  out  of 
the  city  after  the  site  liad  been  chosen;    from   Lancaster, 


Elder  Young,  Captain  Donovan  and  wife,  Hon.  John  S. 
Gregory,  like  Cadman,  an  ex-legislator.  Dr.  John  McKesson, 
Postmaster  Jacob  Dawson  and  his  wife,  Stephen  B.  Pound, 
at  that  time  groceryman  and  law  student,  later  to  be  judge, 
Jacob  Pflug,  storekeeper  and  liquor  dealer,  W.  W.  Cox  and 
wife,  and  Luke  Lavender,  both  farmers.  The  consideration 
which  finally  tipped  the  beam  in  favor  of  Lancaster  was  the 
offer  of  a  section  of  land  by  the  citizens  of  the  village ;  but 
at  the  last  moment  Lavender  demanded  a  bonus  of  a  thou- 
sand dollars  for  his  share  in  the  offer,  and  came  very  near 
upsetting  the  whole  plan ;  indeed,  it  is  said,  that  only  threats 
of  lynching  by  his  irate  townsfellows  finally  brought  him 
round.  Thus,  up  to  the  last  moment,  the  Commissioners' 
choice  was  dramatically  uncertain.  The  reasons  which 
hnally  prevailed  are  given  in  the  scene  in  the  speech  in 
which  the  Governor  announces  the  decision. 

Scene  III  has  been  chiefly  occupied  with  the  rivalry  of 
Yankee  Hill  and  Lancaster,  and  the  triumph  of  the  latter. 
Scene  IV  represents  the  much  broader  and  more  stringent 
rivalry  between  the  North  and  South  Platte  sections  of  the 
state.  At  that  time  the  South  Platte  counties  contained  the 
greater  part  of  the  state's  population,  but  in  the  North  Platte 
region  Omaha  was  already  the  largest  town  in  the  state  and 
it  had  been  the  seat  of  the  territorial  capital.  The  legislative 
act  removing  the  capital  had  been  in  a  considerable  sense  a 
sectional  fight,  with  Nebraska  City  leading  the  South  Platte 
sentiment.  Furthermore,  the  whole  matter  was  pushed  with 
consequential  haste,  and  was  at  first  hardly  regarded  in 
Omaha  as  more  than  a  political  threat.  When  the  imminence 
of  removal  became  apparent,  there  was  an  intention  of  car- 
rying the  matter  to  the  courts  and  of  detaining  the  state  seal 
and  archives  at  Omaha.  This  project  was  defeated  by 
Messrs.  Kennard  and  Gillespie,  who  secretly  conveyed  these 
articles  to  Lincoln,  Kennard  driving  all  night  cross-country. 
This  happened  in  December,  1867,  but  for  the  sake  of 
dramatic  presentation  it  is  brought  back  in  Scene  IV  of  the 
pageant  to  August  14,  the  day  upon  which  the  Governor 
issued  his  proclamation  making  Lincoln  Nebraska's  capital. 
This  historic  document  is  introduced  into  the  scene,  which 


opens  with  Lancaster's  preparations  for  a  celebration  of 
Lincoln's  name  day  ;  represents  Secretary  Kennard  bringing 
in  the  state  seal,  pursued  by  an  entirely  fictive  posse  from 
Omaha ;  continues  with  the  reading  of  the  proclamation  in 
the  presence  of  the  citizens  of  Lancaster,  the  Omaha  posse, 
and  an  equally  fictive  delegation  from  Nebraska  City ;  and 
closes  with  the  wedding  of  North  Platte  "Charlie"  and 
South  Platte  "Mollie,"  thus  symbolizing  the  sentimental 
union  of  the  state.  This  scene  departs  from  historical 
literalness,  but  only  for  the  sake  of  preserving  historical 
verisimilitude  by  dramatically  typifying  the  intense  rivalries 
of  the  time.  With  this  scene  and  the  reading  of  the  histor- 
ical proclamation  establishing  Lincoln  as  the  state  cajiital, 
the  dramatic  portion  of  the  pageant  comes  to  an  end.  An 
intermission  follows. 

Scene  \'  is  entitled  "Medley  of  University  Life."  The 
State  University,  perhaps  more  than  any  other  institution. 
gives  the  state  capital  its  distinctive  character.  Its  establisli 
ment  was  provided  for  in  the  act  establishing  the  city,  and 
its  camtjus  was  blocked  out  in  the  first  ]:)lat  of  the  town. 
Nor  need  it  seem  too  fanciful  to  regard  Elder  Young's 
Female  Seminary  as,  in  a  sense,  a  prophetic  precur.sor  of 
the  city's  educational  character.  However,  it  is  not  the  seri- 
ous aspect  of  education  that  Scene  \  is  concerned  with; 
rather  it  aims  to  give  a  whimsical  and  spectacular  suggestion 
of  the  various  phases  of  student  life,  the  gaieties,  sports, 
and  fun.  which  rightfully  make  college  days  hai)i)y  and 
memorable.  Students  of  the  early  days  are  first  intro- 
duced— days  v.hen  the  city  campus  was  a  pasture  for  the 
townsmen's  cows  and  the  students  themselves  were  a  mix- 
ture of  fresh  bookishness  and  bucolic  simplicity  The 
change  of  colors  from  old  gold  to  scarlet  and  cream,  in  1892. 
is  symbolized,  and  the  characteristic  activities  of  college  life, 
football,  drill,  athletics,  social  life,  are  successively  depicted. 
The  intention  of  the  scene  is  to  give  a  lively  panorama,  full 
of  reminiscence  of  college  days. 

I^'ist  of  all,  Scene  \'l  is  jiurely  allegorical  and  nnisical. 
The  grasshoj^pcr  jilague  of  1S74  i->  taken  as  tin-  fitting  divi- 
sion between  infant  and  mature  Lincoln,      ihe  sctne  o])ens 


with  a  (lance  ot  the  Growing  Fields — Corn,  Wiieat,  Oats, 
Rye,  etc., — "Daughters  of  the  Prairies."  The  ravening 
Grasshoppers  appear,  and  the  joy  of  the  Fields  changes  to 
terror,  as  they  are  pursued  by  the  destructive  insects.  But 
these  in  turn  have  their  enemies;  the  Birds  come  in  swift 
chase  of  them,  and  the  Grasshoppers  are  driven  forth. 
Then  the  Spirit  of  the  West  makes  her  entrance,  and  en- 
ticingly summons  forth  the  Golden  Hopes  of  the  future, 
whose  song  is  of  joy  and  sunshine  again.  Lastly,  Progress 
appears  in  his  chariot,  and  with  a  repetition  of  the  Hymn  to 
Nebraska,  the  pageant  closes. 


SYNOPSIS 

Scene  I 

WESTWARD  HO  ! 

The  Adventures,  led  onward  by  the  Spirit  of  Progress,, 
on  their  westward  march  encounter  the  Sprites  of  the 
Prairies,  who  by  their  allurements  induce  them  to  stay 
their  age-long  journey.    All  join  in  the  Hymn  to  Nebraska. 

Scene  II 

THE  SALT  GATHERERS 

A  party  of  Omaha  Indians,  on  their  way  to  the  hunting 
grounds,  stop  at  Niskithe  ke  (pronounced  Nis-ke'-the  ke). 
Salt  Creek,  to  collect  salt  for  their  winter's  meat.  An  old 
man  prophecies  the  future  town  of  the  white  men. 

Scene  HI 

CHOICE  OF  THE  SITE  OF  LINCOLN, 

JUNE  29,  1867 

State  Commissioners  Butler,  Gillespie,  and  Kennard,  ap- 
pointed to  select  a  site  for  Nebraska's  future. capital,  arrive 
at  the  \  illage  of  Lancaster  which,  after  considering  the 
claims  of  Yankee  Hill  and  other  settlements,  they  choose 
as  the  location  of  Lincoln. 

Scene  IV 

PROCLAMATION  Ol'  THE  CAPITAL  CITY, 

AUGUST  14,  1867 

The  state  seal  is  surreptitiously  brought  from  Omaha  by 
Secretary  Kennard.  Upon  his  arrival,  closely  pursued  by  a 
posse  hostile  to  the  capital's  removal.  Governor  Butler 
.signs  the  proclamation  making  Lincoln  the  state  capital. 
The  sentimental  union  of  the  state  is  symbolized  by  the 
wedding  of  a  North  Platte  man  with  his  South  Platte  sweet- 
heart, in  the  presence  of  the  Omaha  posse  and  a  Nebraska 
City  delegation. 


SCENK   V 

medlp:y  of  university  life 

The  medley  opens  with  a  bucolic  scene  typifying  the 
early  days ;  the  change  of  college  colors,  in  1892,  from  old 
gold  to  scarlet  and  cream  is  symbolized ;  followed  by  repre- 
sentations indicative  of  football,  drill,  girls'  athletics,  and 
gala  day  spirit. 

Scene  VI 

THE  GRASSHOPPERS  AND  AFTER 

The  grasshopper  plague  of  1874  is  symbolically  presented. 
First  appear  the  fruitful  fields;  the  ravening  grasshoppers 
attack  them,  and  are  pursued  and  driven  off  by  the  birds. 
The  Spirit  of  the  West  summons  the  Golden  Hopes  for  the 
future;  and  in  the  finale,  participated  in  by  all,  the  Hymn 
to  Nebraska  is  repeated  from  the  first  scene. 


THE  CHARACTERS 

Scene  I 

Spirit  of  Progress 
The  Adventures 
Sprites  of  the  Prairies 

Scene  II 

Chieftain,  leader  of  a  band  of  Indian  hunters 

Prophet,  an  old  man  of  the  tribe 

Two  Scouts 

Men  and  Women  of  the  band 

Scenes  III-IV 

Commissioners : 

Governor  David  Butler 

Secretary  of  State  Thomas  P.  Kennard 

State  Auditor  John  Gillespie 

Citizens  of  Nebraska  City : 

August  F.  Harvey,  clerk  of  the  Commission 
James  Sweet,  capitalist 

Citizens  of  Lancaster : 

Hon.  John  S.  Gregory 
Captain  \Vm.  T.  Donovan 
Elder  J.  M.  Young 
Dr.  John  McKesson 
Postmaster  Jacob  Dawson 
Stephen  B.  Pound 
W^m.  W.  Cox 
Luke  Lavender 
Jacob  Pflug 
Mrs.  Donovan 
Mrs.  Dawson 
Mrs.  Cox 
Two  Boys 

Citizens  of  Yankee  Hill : 
Hon.  John  Cadman 
J.  W.  Field 
Mrs.  Field 
"Mollie" 


A  Messenger 

Posse  from  Omaha : 
Leader 
"Charlie" 
Members 

Delegation  from  Nebraska  City 
Citizens 
Musicians 
Militia 

Scene  V 

Old  Time  Students 
Solid  Couple 
Cowherd,  a  Student 
The  Cow 
Cadet  Officer 
Awkward  Squad 
Sem.  Bot.  Members 
New  Time  Students 
Football  Players 
Cadets 
Athletic  Coeds 

Scene  VT 

The  Fields : 

Corn 

Wheat 

Rye 

Oats 

Meadowgrass 
The  Haveners  (Grasshoppers) 
The  Birds 
Spirit  of  the  West 
Golden  Hopes 
Progress 

Attendants  of  Progress 
Chorus 


SCENE  I 
WESTWARD  HO  ! 


SCENE  I 

Background  of  trees  and  greenery.  The  scene  opens  with 
an  orchestral  overture,  hrilliant  and  vivid,  suggestive 
of  a  vigorous  march.  From  behind  the  trees  is  heard 
the  voices  of  the  Adventures  in  the  first  words  of  their 
choric  song: 

^^'est^vard  ho !   \\''estward  ho  !   Westward  ho ! 

They  enter,  led  onu'ard  by  the  Spirit  of  Progress,  to  a 
martial  air,  singing  as  they  inarch. • 

Westward  ho  !  the  march  of  Empire  ! 

^^'estward  ho !   the  way  of  Man ! 
Westward,  where  the  wings  of  Promise 

Like  an  arch  of  glory  span 
The  horizon  of  the  nations 

As  they  read  God's  destined  plan ! 

Tn  the  lust  of  A\^onder  waking. 

In  the  pride  of  youthful  power, 
Westward,  where  the  light  is  breaking 

On  a  glorious  morning  hour, 
^^'^estward,  where  the  soil  is  waiting 

Yet  to  bring  man's  life  to  flower! 

By  the  pilgrim  Hope  led  onward, 

By  the  warrior  Right  made  strong, 

For  their  king  the  kingly  Future, 

Come  the  nations,  throng  on  throng. 

Meeting  toil  and  high  adventure 
Heart  upborne  by  living  song! 

W'estvvard  ho!   the  march  of  Empire! 

Westward  ho!    the  way  of  Man! 
Westward,  where  the  wings  of  Promise 

T.ike  an  arch  of  glory  span 
The  horizon  of  the  nations 

As  they  read  Cod's  destined  plan ! 


As  the  song  ceases  and  the  chorus  recedes  to  the  -unngs,  the 
music  becomes  tumultuous,  quivering,  fantastic,  with 
stops  and  starts,  croonings  and  soft  laughter,  suggestive 
of  early  summer  on  the  prairie.  The  Sprites  of  the 
Prairie  enter  in  small  groups,  like  wind-imsps  springing 
up  here  and  there  on  a  summers  day.  They  dance  and 
pirouette,  and  beckon  enticingly  to  the  Adventures. 

First  Group:  Fairest  flowers, 
Gentle  showers, 
Sunny  hours,  oh.  sunny  hours. . . 

Second  Group:    Winds  that  blow 
To  and  fro, 
Golden,  golden  afterglow... 

Third  Group:      Gift  of  corn 

Hvied  with  morn. 

Wonder  gift  of  fragrant  corn. . , 

Fourth  Group:    Tender  dews, 
Honey  brews. 
Drafts  of  magic  none  refuse. . . 

Fifth  Group:       Hill  and  dale, 

Swell  and  swale, 

Springs  of  life  that  never  fail. .  . 

All:  Prairies,  prairies,  flowing  prairies. 

Prairies,  prairies,  are  we  all : 
l^rairies,  prairies,  living  prairies. 
Hark,  O  harken  to  our  call ! 

Sixth  Group:       Cease  thy  quest, 
Come  and  rest 
On  the  Prairie's  mother-breast. .  . 

Seventh  Group:  Far  and  wide 
Here  abide, 
Farth  can  show  thee  naught  beside .  .  . 

All:  Prairies,  prairies,  fallow  prairies. 

Prairies,  prairies,  are  we  all : 
Prairies,  prairies,  fruitful  prairies, 

Harken.  harken  to  our  call! 


The\  recede  luringly,  and  the  Adventures  once  more  ad- 
vance. The  music  becomes  jubilant,  zvith  a  note  of 
prophetic  exaltation  as  all  join  in  the  choric  Hymn  to 
Nebraska  : 

Nebraska.  O  Nebraska, 

Thee  we  obey! 
Jeweled  with  the  Night,  Nebraska, 

Diademed  with  Day ! 
Nebraska,  O  Nebraska, 

Land  with  promise  blest, 
Brightest  of  the  stars  emblazoned, 

Queen  of  the  West ! 

Where  the  splendors  of  the  prairies  greet  the  splendors  of 

the  skies. 
Till  the  green  of  Earth  immingles  with  the  blue  of  Paradise ; 
Where  the  dance  of  dewy  cornfields  flashes  welcome  to  the 

sun, 
And  the  singing  winds  make  music  when  the  toil  of  day  is 

done : 
There  it  is,  on  farm  and  steading,  we  shall  make  a  nation's 

home. 
With  the  living  sod  for  hearthplace  and  our  altar  heaven's 

dome ! 

Nebraska,  O  Nebraska, 

Mother  of  States ! 
Golden  hope  shall  greet,  Nebraska, 

All  who  seek  thy  gates ! 
Nebraska,  O  Nebraska, 

Home  shall  be  thy  sod 
While  thy  prairies  yield  in  fruitage 

Bounty  of  God ! 

Exeunt,  marching. 


NO  INTERMISSION 


SCENE  11 
THE  SALT  GATHERERS 


SCEx\E  II 

As  the  symbolic  chorus  of  the  first  scene  disappears  and  the 
orchestral  period  closes,  the  drums  fall  into  a  pulsating 
Indian  rhythm.  A  flute  breaks  in  zvith  an  Omaha  mel- 
ody. There  enters  an  Indian  hunting  party,  scouts  in 
advance,  chieftain,  hunters,  women.  They  sing  as  they 
march  : 

Very  pleasant  are  the  prairies,  oh ! 

Wide  is  the  trail  of  many  buffalo ; 

Here  it  was  our  fathers  wandered  through  the 

moons  of  long  ago. 
Following  on  the  trails  that  lead  to  and  fro. . . 
Very  pleasant  are  the  grassy  prairies,  oh  ! 
Following  on  the  trail  of  many  buft'alo.  .  , 
Ah,  where  went  our  elders,  there  all  must  go. 

T^he  scouts  advance  with  hands  shading  their  peering  eyes. 

First  Scout:       Niskithe  ke!  Niskithe  ke! 

I  see  the  stream  Niskithe  ke! 

Second  Scout:  Niskithe  ke!  Niskithe  ke  ! 

It  is  the  stream  Niskithe  ke! 

The  Chief  plants  his  spear,  as  a  sign  of  encampment;  the 
march  ceases,  and  the  Indians  deploy. 

'Chief:       Here  we  rest ! 

Here  we  make  our  camp. 

Beside  the  stream  Niskithe  ke. 

The  salty  stream  Niskithe  ke ! 

Till  the  sun  is  at  his  zenith, 

Till  the  sun  has  drunk  the  waters 

Of  the  salty  stream  Niskithe  ke, 

We  shall  camp  here,  we  shall  linger 

While  the  men  and  women  gather 

Salt  to  serve  us  for  our  hunting. 

From  the  salty  stream  Niskithe  ke. 

They  shall  take  them  scoop  and  feathers ; 


They  shall  go  beside  the  waters 
Where  a  band  of  salt  is  forming 
As  the  sun  goes  toward  his  zenith, 
Like  a  band  of  shining  beadwork 
At  the  border  of  the  waters. 
They  shall  brush  the  salt  with  feathers ; 
They  shall  pack  it,  they  shall  store  it ; 
Salt  to  serve  us  for  our  hunting. 
Salt  to  salt  the  meat  to  feed  us 
Through  the  white  moons  of  the  winter, 
So  that  we  may  live  securely 
Through  the  cold  and  hungry  winter. 
Alany  thanks  we  give  Niskithe  ke 
For  the  salt  that  shall  preserve  us 
Through  the  white  moons  of  the  winter ! 

All:  Many  thanks  we  give  Niskithe  ke, 

Thanks  we  give  the  stream  Niskithe  ke, 
For  the  salt  that  keeps  the  meat  good 
Through  the  white  moons  of  the  winter! 

The  men  and  women  bring  forth  scoops  of  razvhide  and 
feather  brushes.  The  music  takes  up  an  Indian  dance- 
rhythm,  to  which  the  Indians  perform  a  mimetic  dance, 
seeming  to  brush  up  the  salt  into  the  scoops.  At  the 
close  of  the  dance  the  Chief  lifts  his  spear. 

Chief:       Now,  my  children,  we  have  gathered 
Gift  of  salt  from  salt  Niskithe  ke, 
Salt  to  keep  our  stores  of  meat  good 
Through  the  white  moons  of  the  winter. 
Let  us  onward  on  our  journey, 
Giving  thanks  to  kind  Niskithe  ke 
For  the  salt  that  we  have  gathered. 

The  marching  order  is  resumed;  but  ere  they  start  an  old 
medicine  man,  a  prophet,  advances  with  raised  calumet. 

Prophet:  O  ye  warriors,  O  ye  young  men, 
O  ye  women,  O  ye  people, 
Hear  the  words  that  I  am  speaking ! 


In  the  days  that  yet  are  coming. 
In  the  days  of  the  tomorrow, 
Here  beside  the  stream  Niskithe  ke 
There  shall  be  a  mighty  village, 
There  shall  be  a  town  of  white  men, 
Fairest  town  in  all  Nebraska ! 
Niskithe  shall  our  people  call  it, 
Niskithe,  Salt-Town,  shall  they  call  it ; 
But  th.e  white  men.  they  will  name  it 
For  the  bravest  of  their  warriors. 
For  the  noblest  of  their  chieftains, 
For  the  wisest  of  their  wise  men ! 
I  have  spoken,  I  have  spoken. 

The  drum  rhythm  becomes  insistent;    all  is  ready  for  the 
march. 

All:  Fare  thee  well.  O  stream  Niskithe  ke! 

Fare  thee  well,  until  the  morrow, 

Till  the  day  we  see  the  village 

That  the  white  men  build  beside  thee  ! 

Exeunt. 


I\'TERMISS10\' 


SCENE  III 

CHOICE  OF  THE  SITE  OF  LINCOLN 

June  29.  1867 


SCENE  III 

Before  the  house  of  Captain  JVm.  T.  Donovan,  village  of 
Lancaster,  June  2g,  1S67. 

Enter  from  the  house  Captain  Donovan  and  Hon.  John  S. 
Gregory. 

Gregory:  I  tell  you,  Donovan,  there's  no  doubt  about  it. 
The  capital  of  the  young,  great  and  growing  state  of 
Nebraska  will  be  located  right  here  in  the  village  of 
Lancaster  and  on  this  very  day,  June  the  twenty-ninth, 
year  of  our  Lord  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-seven ! 
\\t  have  all  the  natural  advantages — flowing  streams, 
rolling  hills,  heaven-kissing  trees,  and — salt !  Besides 
the  very  obvious  political  asset  of  such  citizens  as  Wil- 
liam T.  Donovan  and  John  S.  Gregory,  here  present. 

Donovan:  You've  sure  a  fine  confidence  in  you,  John  Greg- 
ory. Lm  not  so  fixed  in  my  mind  about  it.  There  are 
other  towns  on  the  map  besides  Lancaster, — though  I'm 
not  saying  it  public.  And  there's  folks  in  Yankee 
Hill  can  turn  a  trick  or  two  themselves. 

Gregory:  I  tell  you  it's  as  good  as  settled.  This  very  day 
the  capital  of  Nebraska  will  be  located  on  the  spot 
where  we  stand.  I'm  an  Honorable  ex-member  of  the 
Honorable  ex-Territorial  ex-Legislature,  and  you  may 
trust  me  for  some  political  sagacity ! 

Donovan:  Hope  you're  right.  Here  come  Jake  Dawson 
and  Stephen  Pound, — Pound's  his  name  and  pounds  he 
gives,  in  his  little  grocery  shack;  a  man  that  measures 
as  true  as  he  does  won't  stop  with  sugar  and  beans ; 
we'll  see  him  judge  yet.  (Enter  Daivson  and  Pound.) 
Mornin',  Pound.     Mornin',  Postmaster.     Any  news? 

Dawson:  None  of  the  best.  Yankee  Hill's  got  the  whole 
commission  set  down  to  the  biggest  breakfast  ever 
cooked  west  of  the  river.  Rustic  arbor,  flags,  flowers, 
pretty  girls,  roast  lamb,  suckling  pig,  fried  chicken, — 
smells  like  Delmonico's  an'  looks  like  Saratoga  Springs. 
An'  this  is  for  you,  Gregory,  they've  got  the  Honorable 
ex-member  of  the  Honorable  ex-Territorial  ex-Legisla- 


ture,  John  Cadman,  for  toastmaster  and  boastmaster  of 
said  feed.    Them's  the  news ! 

Enter  liurriedly  Dr.  John  McKesson. 

McKcssoi:  I  say,  gentlemen, — gentlemen,  I  say.  Have  you 
heard,  gentlemen?  I  say,  have  you  heard  the  news? 
■  Yankee  Hill's  got  one  over  us,  gentlemen,  got  one  over 
lis, — all  the  commissioners,  pretty  girls,  big  breakfast, 
glorious  view,  flow  of  soul !  I  say,  we've  got  to  do 
something  gentlemen — 

Dawson:  And  damn  quick. 

Donofan:  Gregory's  been  telling  me  Lancaster's  as  good  as 
chosen!  What  d'ye  think  of  it  now,  John?  Political 
say-gas-ity !    Say  hot  air ! 

Enter  Cox,  sleeves  rolled  up  to  the  elboivs.  a  sqnaivking 
chicken  in  each  hand;  simultaneonsly,  Jacob  Pflug 
with  a  keg  of  beer. 

,.Cox:  Boys,  have  you  heard  what  Yankee  Hill's  up  to? 
Feedin'  the  commissioners !  No  time  to  lose.  We  got 
to  give  'em  the  bulliest  chicken  dinner  ever  busted  a 
vest.  Here's  a  couple  of  my  top-notchers,  and  wife's 
comin'  to  help  Mrs.  Donovan  cook  'em. 

Pflug  (triumphantly  depositing  his  keg  of  beer  and  wiping 
his  brow):  Schicken  und  beer — dere  it  iss!  Yankee 
Hell  hass  schickens,  but  Yacob  Pflug  hass  beer!  Ve 
shall  see  vot  ve  shall  see. 

Mrs.  Donovan  {from  the  door) :  Well,  you  are  a  set  of  fool 
men !  Do  you  suppose  that  the  governor  and  the  secre- 
tary and  the  auditor  are  going  to  get  up  from  one 
chicken  dinner  and  sit  right  down  to  another,  and  then 
like  it?  Even  the  Elder  and  Dr.  McKesson,  both  of 
whom's  Methodist  preachers,  couldn't  do  that. 

Pound:  I  think  Mrs.  Donovan  shows  signs  of  reason.  You 
might  as  well  let  your  chickens  run.  Cox. 

Pflug:  Schickens  oder  nicht,  beer  iss  beer  und  dere  it  iss. 
Yankee  Hell  hass  no  beer. 

Donovan:  The  beer  might  come  convenient,  boys.  It's 
bidding  a  warmish  day,  and  if  Mrs.  Donovan  could 
have  beer  at  hand,  and  if  Jacob  could  draw  a  mug  for 


the  governor  when  his  throstle's  a  bit  dry  with  the 
argument,  and  for  the  honorable  secretary  and  the 
honorable  auditor,  it  could  very  sociably  incline  them 
all  to  think  more  soberly  of  the  irresistible  claims  of 
Lancaster.  It  can  be  worked  easy,  for  ye  know  they're 
to  vote  in  my  house. 

Pflug:  Beer  iss  beer  und  commissioners  iss  commissioners. 
I  vill  take  him  to  Mrs.  Donovan's  kitchen.  (Exit  tvith 
keg.) 

Pound:  You'll  have  to  think  of  something  better  than  this, 
boys.    Time's  short. 

Gregory:  Gentlemen, —  (cries  of  "Hear!  Hear!" ) — the  des- 
tinies of  the  great  and  growing  state  of  Nebraska  are 
not  to  be  settled  by  such  small  matters  as  chicken  din- 
ners and  mugs  of  beer,  however  tender  the  chicken, 
however  cooling  the  beer.  Statesmen  such  as  Governor 
David  Butler,  Secretarv  Thomas  Kennard,  and  Auditor 
John  Gillespie  are  not  to  be  moved  by  the  blushing 
maidens  and  noisy  bluster  of  Yankee  Hill.  Reasons  of 
state  alone  will  determine — 

Dazvson:  See  here,  John,  we  haven't  time  for  it.  Wait  till 
the  next  campaign.    If  you've  got  a  scheme,  wliat  is  it? 

Gregory:  Just  this,  gentlemen.  We  must  be  ready  to  give 
the  commissioners  such  an  offer  as  Yankee  Hill  or 
Seward  or  Ashland  or  any  other  town  never  dreamed 
of,  an  offer  they  can't  refuse  and  save  their  pf)litical 
bacons. 

McKesson:  What  is  it?    What  is  it  ? 

Gregory:  A  section  of  land.  The  land  we're  standing  on. 
Down  in  your  jeans,  gentlemen,  and  dig  it  out. 

McKesson:  Can  we  afford  it ? 

Gregory:  Can't  aflford  not  to.  The  capital's  got  to  come 
right  here. 

Dazvson:  Reckon  you're  right  for  once,  John.  Boys,  we  got 
to  do  it. 

Gox:  Somebody  better  make  out  the  paper. 

Dawson:  Pound's  the  man.  Do  it  right  and  do  it  soon, 
Stephen. 


Pound  retires  to  a  table  beneath  a  tree  and  begins  to  zvrite. 
Mrs.  Cox  and  Mrs.  Daivson  enter. 

MeKesson:  I  say,  gentlemen.  There  come  the  ladies  in 
their  Sunday  best,  looking  for  a  glimpse  of  the  gov- 
ernor. 

Daivson:  Not  fixed  for  cookin',  that's  sure.  Guess  the 
women  got  some  sense.    Eh,  Cox? 

McKesson:  Good  day,  Mrs.  Cox.  How  is  Mrs.  Dawson? 
Seats  for  the  ladies,  gentlemen.  This  way,  ladies  (lead- 
ing them  to  a  bench  seat).  Flowers  for  the  governor's 
party?  I  say,  gentlemen,  the  ladies  have  brought 
flowers  for  the  governor — and  the  flower  of  their  own 
presence,  gentlemen.    I  say. 

Pound:  tfere's  the  paper. 

Gregory:  Sign  now. 

They  begin  signing,  turn  by  turn. 

Daivson:  Where's  Elder  Young  this  morning? 

Cox:  Coming.  That's  him  with  the  umbrella,  down  the 
road. 

Donovan:  Aye,  the  very  man.  Carries  an  umbrella  in  the 
sunshine  and  builds  a  Young  Females'  Seminary  on  a 
salt  plain  in  the  middle  of  the  Great  American  Desert 
when  the  only  females  in  forty  miles  are  Pawnee 
squaws.  Between  the  Elder  and  Brigham  it's  a  great 
family,  is  the  Youngs ! 

Cox:  You're  late.  Elder. 

Young:   What,  have  the  commissioners  come? 

Cox:  They're  just  about  due, — if  the  Yankee  Hill  break- 
fast hasn't  broke  down  their  rigs.  Field  and  Cadman 
are  cute  ones,  out  there.  They  mean  to  cinch  the  cap- 
ital for  the  Hill. 

Young:  Can  the  commissioners  forget — for  one  moment 
forget  the  great  educational  advantages  of  the  home  of 
the  Lancaster  Association's  Young  Females'  Seminary? 
Impossible !  I  selected  this  very  site  four  years  ago  to 
be  the  seat  of  the  greatest  fount  of  knowledge  on 
God's  plains.     Gillespie  knows  it;    they  all  know  it. 


Here  must  stand  the  state's  capital,  here  its  great  and 
famous  University ! 

Dazvson:  Just  my  sentiments,  Elder.    I  only  hope  it's  theirs ! 

Cox:  Where's  Luke  Lavender?    He  must  sign. 

Donovan:  Not  here. 

Gregory:  Ever^'body's  signed  except  him.  Cox,  you  take 
the  paper,  hunt  him  up,  and  get  his  name.  Don't  let  the 
grass  grow,  either.  (Exit  Cox) 

Dawson:  There  they  come,  hovin'  in  sight  now!  Commis- 
sioners chuck  full  of  chicken,  Yankee  Hill  arrayed  in 
glory. 

Enter  in  two  spring  zvagons:  First,  Butler,  Kennard,  Gilles- 
pie, zi'ith  Harvey  driving;  second,  Cadman,  "Mollie," 
Mrs.  Field,  Field  driving.    They  descend. 

Young:   A  beaming  hour,  Governor.     Auspicious  Phoebus 

smiles  on  the  Lancaster  Association's  Young  Females' 

Seminary,  eh  ? 
Donovan:  Top  o'  the  day  to  ye,  gentlemen. 
Butler:  Ah,  Elder,  Captain,  glad  to  see  you  again.    How  are 

you,  John, — in  line  for  the  next  legislature  ?    And  here 

is  the  Doctor  with  the  Lancaster  ladies. 

All  have  descended;  there  are  general  handshakings.  Boys 
lead  the  teams  out. 

Dazvson:  How  d'y,  Mr.  Kennard.  How  d'y  Field.  Yes, 
there's  some  mail  for  you,  an'  for  Miss  Mollie,  too — 
curious  how  regular  they  come,  Mollie,  Omaha  post- 
mark, firm  masculine  hand,  and  I'll  bet  they're  signed 
'"Charlie"  on  the  inside ! 

Mollie:  You  mind  your  stamps,  Mr.  Dawson,  and  I'll  mind 
my  mail. 

Dawson:  I  reckon  he's  your  male  all  right,  but  I'm  mighty 
doubtful  if  you're  the  one  that's  goin'  to  do  the  mind- 
ing. 

Mollie:  Why,  good  morning,  Mrs.  Dawson.  Isn't  he 
horrid? 

Mrs.  Da7VSon:  They're  all  that  way  when  they've  got  you 
lariated.    Getting  married  is  like  getting  lassoed. 


McKesson:  Governor  Butler,  Mrs.  Cox.  Mrs.  Cox,  the 
Governor.  Not  that  you  haven't  met  before,  but  there's 
some  satisfaction  in  introducing  a  body  to  a  governor. 

Mrs.  Cox  (presenting  the  governor  a  huge  bouquet  of 
red  roses):  Remember  Lancaster,  Governor.  An'  if 
Yankee  Hill  did  keep  you  from  comin'  empty,  we'll  see 
that  you  don't  go  empty,  neither. 

Mrs.  Field  (hurrying  up  and  presenting  a  huge  bouquet  of 
white  roses):  Oh,  Governor  Butler,  we  didn't  want  you 
to  forget  being  with  us  at  Yankee  Hill  this  morning. 
These  are  from  my  own  bush,  first  of  its  kind  in  the 
.  county.  And  you  did  make  such  a  fine  talk  at  break- 
fast this  morning !    We  all  said  so. 

Butler  (bouquet  in  each  hand):  Ladies,  ladies!  This  is 
truly  a  war  of  the  roses — the  red  of  Lancaster  and 
white  of  glorious  York — Yankee  Hill,  I  mean.  How  is 
a  man  to  preserve  a  judicial  frame  of  mind  in  such  a 
floral  dilemma?  Flowers  spell  fluster,  madam,  fluster; 
but  I  love  them  just  the  same!  And  the  ladies,  too.  All 
governors  do. 

Mrs.  Field,  Mrs.  Cox:  Oh,  Governor  ! 

Young:  Gillespie,  you  remember  when  I  met  you  at  Ne- 
braska City  three  years  ago  and  told  you  I  was  coloniz- 


ing out  here  and  building  a  female  seminary 


■? 


Gillespie:   I  should  say  I  do!    And  if  ever  I  thought  a  man 

had  gone  daft  I  thought  you  had. 
Young:  Well,  Gillespie,  here's  the  town — pretty  ship-shape, 

you'll  have  to  own.     And  over  there  are  the  walls  of 

the  said  seminary.    All  things  come  to  those  who  have 

faith. 
Gillespie:  Right  you  are.  Elder.    I  own  up. 
Young:    Maybe  you  recollect,  too,  that  at  that  self -same 

meeting,  daft  as  I  was,  I  told  you  that  some  day  we'd 

have  the  county  seat,  aye,  and  the  state  capital  and  the 

state  university  at  my  colony? 
Gillespie:  So  you  did,  so  you  did. 
Young:   Well,  I  hope  I'm  a  true  prophet,  Gillespie,  and  I 

know   you're   a    friend   of   mine.      If   friendship   and 


prophecy  just  work  together,  we'll  have  that  capital 
right  here  today.    I've  a  great  faith  pinned  in  you,  John. 
Gillespie:  Trust  me.  Elder. 

Mollie:  Now,  Mr.  Secretary,  you  won't,  after  being  enter- 
tained so  nicely  as  you  have  been  out  at  Yankee  Hill 
today,  go  and  locate  the  capital  over  here  at  Lancaster, 
will  you? 

Kennard:  My  dear  lady,  were  I  but  the  sole  master  of 
Thomas  P.  Kennard,  and  fate  but  my  own  wish,  I 
v.ould  answer  you  as  our  mutual  hearts  prompt.  But 
the  commission,  you  know,  authorized  by  the  sovereign 
state  of  Nebraska,  is  a  public  servant.  Personal  con- 
siderations must  give  way  to  public  interest ;  the  com- 
missioners must  forget  themselves  and  think  only  of 
the  state — 

Mollie:  Of  which  we  are  a  part,  Mr.  Secretary.  Don't  for- 
get that. 

Kennard:  Not  for  one  moment!  When  I  think  of  the 
ruddied  cheeks  and  petalled  lips  of  the  ladies  of  Yankee 
Hill  you  may  be  sure  that  I  will  give  its  claims  every 
consideration  which  such  an  inspiration  can  suggest. 
We  all  will. 

Led  by  Captain  Donovan,  the  Commissioners  approach  the 
door  of  the  house,  Governor  Butler  in  advance,  holding 
his  bouquets  of  fioivers.  Mrs.  Donovan  appears  at  the 
door. 

Donovan:  Mrs.  Donovan,  the  Governor's  party. 

Mrs.    Douoz'an:    Welcome,   gentlemen;    the    front    room's 

tidied  for  you. 
Butler  fhoiving):   Kindest  of  hostesses.     (They  enter) 

As  the  Commissioners  and  Harvey  disappear,  the  aproned 
form  of  Jacob  Pfluy  appears  from  round  the  house,  car- 
rying three  mugs  of  beer. 

Pflng:  Schickens  iss  schickens  und  beer  iss  beer.  Ve  shall 
see  vot  ve  shall  see.     (Polloivs  party  into  the  house.) 

Donovan  (to  Mrs.  Donovan,  at  ivindoiv):  Keep  us  posted 
where  the  wind  lies. 


Cadman  (familiarly,  to  Gregory):   Aha,  John.     We've  had 

our  Httle  differences  before  this,  eh? 
Gregory:  Yes,  man  to  man,  and  town  against  town. 
Cadman:  Sorry  for  you,  John.    But  I'm  afraid  your  rabbit's 

biled   this   time.     'Tis  a  great  and  glorious   day    for 

Yankee  Hill. 
Mrs.  Donovan  (at  zvindow) :  The  Governor's  speaking  for 

Yankee  Hill. 
Dawson:  What's  that? 
Donovan:  Butler's  for  Yankee  Hill. 
Mrs.  Field:   Governor  Butler  made  such  a  beautiful  speech 

this  morning! 
Mollie:   I  think  /  know  how  Mr.  Kennard  will  vote. 
Dazvson:  Where's  that  infernal  fool,  Luke  Lavender?  Cox's 

been  gone  an  hour !    Hey,  you.  Pound ;     can't  you  go 

and  hustle  up  those  idiots?    And  if  Lavender's  thinking 

about  it,  just  squnch  his  thinker.  (Exit  Pound) 

Gregory:  Ditch  that  Dutchman  and  his  beer ! 
Field   (to  Cadman):    Lancaster  seems  to  be  some  rattled 

today.     S'pose  it's  sunstroke  or  Pflug's  beer? 
Cadman:    Maybe   the   Young   Females'    Seminary's  broke 

loose. 
Field:  Why,  there  comes  Sweet  of  Nebraska  City.    Wonder 

what's  up? 
Cadman:  Oh,  Nebraska  City's  for  Yankee  Hill  all  right. 

Enter  Szveet  on  horseback.    Dismounts.    Boy  takes  horse. 

Cadman:  Hello,  Sweet;  in  to  see  the  fun? 

Sweet:  How's  things  going? 

Cadman:    Commissioners  voting  in  at  the  Captain's  house. 

Butler's  favoring  Yankee  Hill. 
Sweet:  And  the  rest? 

Cadman:  Haven't  heard  yet,  but  we've  got  a  good  guess. 
Mrs.  Donovan  (at  ivindozv) :  Gillespie's  talking  Ashland. 
Cadman :  Ashland  ? 

Gregory:  Ashland!    The  devil  and  Tom  Walker! 
Sweet:  That's  where  Plattsmouth's  heard  from!    Anything 

to  beat  Nebraska  City.    Say,  you  fellows,  you've  got  to 

get  together  on  this  proposition,  p.  d.  q. 


Cadman:  What  d'ye  mean? 

Siveet:  Yankee  Hill  or  Lancaster,  it's  all  one  to  us  at  the 
City.  But  we  can't  stand  for  Ashland,  that's  Platts- 
mouth's  choice.  Now  you  fellows  've  got  an  equal 
chance  in  the  two  towns;  either  choice  helps  both  of 
you.    Make  it  up,  quick. 

Cadman :  Yankee  Hill  isn't  beat  yet. 

Szveet:  Don't  fool  yourself  on  that!  If  Gillespie's  for  Ash- 
land. Yankee  Hill's  dead  for  this  deal.  I  know  Ken- 
nard.  And  they're  going  to  make  it  unanimous ;  they've 
got  to.  It's  Ashland  or  Lancaster.  The  question  is, 
what  has  Lancaster  to  offer?  That's  where  you  come 
in,  Gregory,  and  you,  Donovan. 

Meantime  Cox  and  Pound  have  reappered,  bringing  Luke 
Lavender.  They  have  taken  him  to  the  table  where 
the  paper  is  spread  out  to  be  signed,  and  are  gesticulat- 
ing as  in  violent  argument.  Daivson  and  Young  have 
joined  the  party,  leaving  McKesson  to  entertain  the 
ladies. 

Donovan:  Holy  Mike!  What's  that  fool  Lavender  up  to? 
Won't  he  sign? 

Sweet:  What  is  it? 

Donovan:  Offer  of  a  section  of  land,  by  Lancaster.  Every- 
body's signed  but  Lavender. 

Siveet:  He's  got  to.    Let's  go  over  there. 

Gregory  (as  they  join  the  group):  What  does  he  want? 

Pound:  A  thousand  dollars. 

Gregory:   It's  a  hold-up! 

Lavender:  Hold-up  or  no  holdup,  I  don't  sign  till  T  see  the 
money. 

Gregory:  By  the  eternal,  you  will! 

Lavender:  One  thousand,  spot  cash. 

Young:  Luke,  Luke,  come  around,  come  around. 

Lavender:  Hanged  if  I  will! 

Cox:  We'll  hang  you  if  you  don't! 

Dawson  (producing  a  halter  rope  and  leaping  upon  the 
table):  That's  what  we  will,  and  damn  soon.  Up  with 
him,  IxDys! 


Several  lay  hold  of  Lavender  and  the  rope  is  slipped  round 

his  neck. 
Young:   Gentlemen,  gentlemen,  what  does  this  mean?    No 

violence,  no  violence !    Remember  the  Young  Females — 
Pound  (to  Young):   Don't  worry,  Elder.    They  know  their 

man. 
Lavender:    Call   it  off,  boys!     Of  course   I'll  sign.     You 

know  I  was  just  joking.     I'm  as  good  a  citizen  as  any 

of  you. 

La7'ender  is  seated  and  a  pen  thrust  into  his  hand.  Dr. 
McKesson  runs  up  excitedly. 

McKesson:  I  say,  gentlemen,— gentlemen,  I  say.  Is  some- 
thing the  matter  ?  Is  there  a  sunstroke,  gentlemen  ?  Is 
medical  skill  wanted,  gentlemen  ? 

Donovan:  We  thought  we'd  be  wanting  a  coroner,  but  I 
chance  it  ye're  not  necessitated  this  time,  doctor. 

Siveet:  Pound,  rush  that  paper  in  to  Kennard.^  (E.vit 
Pound)  I'll  just  go  along,  boys,  to  see  how  they  take 
it.     (Exit  to  house.) 

Lavender:  You  fellows  can't  take  a  joke. 

Young:  Solomon  says  there's  a  time  for  all  things.  You  hit 
the  wrong  time,  Luke.     A  little  failing  of  yours. 

Mrs.  Donovan  (zvho  has  been  zvaving  for  attention  at  zvin- 
dozv):  Kennard's  for  Lancaster  and  Gillespie's  coming 
over.    Governor's  for  us,  too. 

Lancasterites:  Hurrah  !    Hurrah  ! 

Harvey  (appearing  at  door):  Oyez,  oyez,  oyez !  The  polls 
are  now  closed  and  the  vote  taken.  Governor  David 
Butler  of  the  sovereign  state  of  Nebraska  will  deliver 
the  result. 

Lancasterites:  Hurrah  for  Butler !  Hurrah  for  the  Com- 
missioners ! 

Enter  front  the  house,  Szveet  and  the  Commissioners.  Gov- 
ernor Butler  zvith  the  bouquet  of  red  roses  in  hand, 
remains  upon  the  stoop;  the  audience  forms. 

Butler:  ]\len  and  women  of  the  sovereign  commonwealth  of 
Nebraska:  In  pursuance  of  the  authority  in  us  vested 
by  the  state  legislature,  we,  the  commissioners  delegated 


to  select  a  site  suitable  for  the  capital  city  of  our  great 
commonwealth  and  worthy  to  bear  the  name  of  our 
noble  and  martyred  President  Lincoln,  after  arduous 
travels  and  minute  and  studied  consideration,  have  at 
last  reached  an  unanimous  decision.  (Cheers)  We 
have  considered  the  attractions  of  many  localities  within 
the  area  assigned  by  legislative  enactment ;  we  have 
been  drawn  in  many  directions;  for  our  beautiful 
state,  and  in  particular  the  portion  of  it  within  which 
you  dwell,  affords  numberless  townsites,  at  once  ad- 
mirable for  beauty  and  big  with  the  promise  of  wealth 
and  greatness.  We  have  been  attracted  by  Ashland, 
with  its  rich  verdure  and  richer  alluvium.  We  have 
been  profoundly  and  personally  affected  by  the  mag- 
nificent vistas  and  beauteous  dames  of  Yankee  Hill. 
(Cheers)  But,  ignoring  personal  predilections,  as  pub- 
lic officials  must,  and  brushing  aside  all  considerations 
except  such  as  meet  the  needs  and  wishes  of  the  com- 
monwealth which  we  serve,  we  have  finally  settled 
upon  what  we  are  convinced  is  the  most  naturally  gifted 
and  potentially  profitable  site  which  our  broad  domain 
affords ;  and  we  have  decided  that  the  future  location 
of  the  stately  edifices  of  the  capital  of  Nebraska  shall 
be  these  prairies  which  spread  in  undulating  beauty  on 
every  hand,  here  where  we  stand,  in  the  village  of  Lan- 
caster !  (Prolonged  cheering)  While  every  site  that 
we  have  considered  proclaims  advantages,  here  more 
are  united  than  elsewhere.  Lancaster  stands  upon  the 
verge  of  a  great  basin  watered  by  numerous  streams, 
whose  gently  flowing  beds  suggest,  as  has  been  indi- 
cated by  my  friend  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  State 
(cheers) — suggest  the  approach  of  many  lines  of  traf- 
fic, promising  here  a  railroad  center  without  rival  in 
the  West.  (Cheers)  Water-power  and  timber  are  near 
at  hand  ;  the  fertility  of  the  soil  is  beyond  computation  : 
and  already  the  sturdy  settler  has  broken  the  sod  in 
the  firm  determination  to  secure  therefrom  that  sus- 
tenance and  wealth  which  it  so  certainly  promises, 
lastly,  the  town  of  T^ancaster  itself  is  peopled  by  citi- 


zens  \s  hose  noble  idealism  has  been  the  astonishment  of 
their  neighbors.  Nought  can  augur  more  for  the  future 
of  a  great  state  than  that  the  center  of  its  political  and 
educational  life  should  be  on  a  spot  already  sanctified 
to  education  by  the  pioneer  labors  and  prophetic  antici- 
pations of  such  men  as  Elder  Young  and  his  fellow 
townsmen.  (Cheers)  In  view  of  all  these  advan- 
tages, great  in  themselves,  but  infinitely  greater  in  pros- 
pect, we,  the  state's  commissioners,  feel  that  we  are 
conferring,  with  clean  hands  and  unsullied  conscience, 
an  inestimable  benefit  upon  the  commonv/ealth  in 
locating  here  in  Lancaster  the  future  capital  of  Nebras- 
ka, to  be  known  as  Lincoln  City.  I  thank  you.  (J^ocif- 
croiis  cheers) 
Young:  In  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Lancaster,  and  I  am 
sure  that  I  may  add  in  behalf  of  our  neighbors  of  Yan- 
kee Hill,  who  are  in  all  things  one  with  us,  I  thank  you, 
Mr.  Governor,  and  you.  Gentlemen  of  the  Commission, 
for  the  great  trust  which  you  have  reposed  in  us,  and 
for  the  bright  future  which  your  words  open  out  to  us. 
May  we  live  to  see — as  I  am  confident  we  shall — these 
prairie  elevations  fittingly  crowned  with  halls  of  legisla- 
tion and  justice  and  with  such  a  university  as  shall  be 
a  world-wide  credit  to  the  high  name  of  Nebraska ! 
(Renezvcd  cheering) 

Amid  general  handshakings,  the  audience  begins  to  disperse. 

Mrs.  Cox:  Don't  forget  the  dinner,  gentlemen, — at  the  Cox 

house. 
Gregory  (to  Cadman) :  Afraid  you  crowed  too  soon,  John. 
Cadman:  I'll  have  the  first  hotel  in  Lincoln.    You'll  see! 
Field:  And  Tve  a  boy  for  the  University. 

The  wagons  have  returned.  Yankee  Hill  departs.  All 
leave  except  the  Commissioners,  Harvey,  and  Siveet. 

Butler:  Boys,  there's  a  lot  to  do  yet,  before  this  thing  is 
cinched,  'i'he  North  Platte  country  isn't  going  to  lose 
the  capital  if  they  can  hang  on  to  it,  and  Omaha  thinks 
the  whole  affair  is  a  hoax.  We  must  rush  the  business 
through.     You,  Sweet,  get  the  Nebraska  City  men  to- 


gether :  they  must  stand  behind  us  with  money.  You. 
Harvey,  stay  here  and  lay  out  the  town ;  do  a  good  job 
of  it.  and  do  it  quick.  It's  up  to  Kennard  and  Gillespie 
to  get  the  state  seal  and  the  state  papers  from  Omaha 
without  their  suspecting  it.  I've  a  tip  that  they  intend 
to  keep  them  there.  I'll  go  down  home  and  seem  to  be 
asleep.  Harvey  must  finish  his  job  in  six  weeks.  We'll 
all  meet  here  for  final  action  August  14,  next.  Remem- 
ber the  date  and  be  on  the  dot.    Here's  our  wagon  and 

your  horse,  Sweet.    So  we're  off. 

Exeunt. 


PATRIOTIC  MUSIC 


SCENE  IV 

PROCLAMATION  OF  THE  CAPITAL  CITY 

August  14,  1867 


SCENE  IV 

Before  the  house  of  Captain  Donovan,  village  of  Lancaster, 
August  14,  1 86 J. 

Hand-bell  is  heard  ringing  intermittently.  Enter  two  bare- 
legged boys,  on  the  run;  one  has  a  clacker  in  his  hand, 
the  other  a  reed  ivhistle.    They  bring  up  simultaneously. 

First  Boy:  I  beat! 
Second  Boy:  I  beat! 
First  Boy:  Y'  didn't  neither! 
Second  Boy:  Did  teither! 

First  Boy  blows  his  ivhistle  in  the  other's  ear,  zvho  sounds 
his  clacker  vigorously.  They  dance  a  jig-step  and  bring 
up  again. 

First  Boy:  Gee!    Won't  we  make  some  noise  today! 

Second  Boy:  I  bet  we  will! 

First  Boy:  There  comes  pap  Cox  and  old  Dawson  with  the 

horse-fiddle. 
Second  Boy:   Let's  go  over. 

They  trot  across  to  ivhere  Cox  and  Dawson  are  depositing 
the  horse-fiddle. 

First  Boy:  Try  'er  once,  pap! 

Cox  grinningiy  rasps  the  fiddle. 

Second  Boy:  Jiminy,  but  she's  a  squawker! 
First  Boy:  Just  a  bully  one! 
Dawson  (to  the  Boys):  Got  your  tooters  iled? 
Boys:  You  bet !    You  bet! 

The  hand-bell  is  heard  again  and  Jacob  Pflug  appears, 
aproned,  bell  in  one  hand,  long  pipe  in  the  other. 

Daxvson:   Wie  geht's,  Yacob?    Celebrating? 

Pflug:  Schoen,  sehr  schoen !  Pisiness  iss  pisiness,  und 
capitals  iss  capitals,  und  beer  iss  beer;  aber  venn  mein 
pisiness  iss  beer,  und  mein  beer  iss  capitals — ach !  z'ist 
himmelschoen ! 

Pflug  puffs  complacently  at  his  pipe.  Enter  Pound  and 
Lavender. 


Pound:  Has  the  Governor  come  yet? 

Donovan:   Came  last  night.     He's  in  at  Donovan's  lookin'' 

over  the  plat  of  Lincoln  that  Harvey's  showin'  him. 

Gregory's  there,  too. 
Cox:    Here's  the  rest  of  the  folks  comin'  along.     Yankee 

Hill  an'  all.    Everybody  with  his  clacker,  too.    I  reckon 

there'll  be  noise  enough  when  the  proclamation's  been 

read. 
Boy:  Won't  there,  though ! 
Lavender  (producing  a  bladder) :  There's  some  pop  in  this 

here,  too.     Goes  off  like  a  Fourth  of  July.     (Inflates 

it) 
Pound:  Lancaster's  live  enough  when  she  gets  started. 

Boy:  It's  Lincoln  City  now,  Mr.  Pound,  ain't  it? 

Pound  (laughingly) :    I  accept  the  amendment.     This  is  to 

be  Lincoln's  name-day,  anyway.    So  it's  none  too  soon 

to  be  getting  used  to  the  new  name. 

Enter  (right)  Dr.  McKesson  and  the  Lancaster  ladies,  holi- 
day dress,  Elder  Young  zvith  his  umbrella  draped  zvith 
an  American  flag;  (left)  Yankee  Hill  party,  Cadman, 
the  Fields,  and  "Mollie" — the  latter  in  high  fashion, 
with  gay-colored  parasol. 

Young  (calling):  Glorious  day  for  the  christening,  Field! 
Lancaster's  a  lusty  infant  and  Yankee  Hill  a  prince  of 
godfathers ! 

Field:  Christening,  is  it?  So  that's  why  you  brought  your 
umbrella,  parson?  Lookin'  for  a  shower?  Goin'  to 
give  us  a  sprinkle  or  a  souse? 

Young:  Showers  of  blessings,  neighbor!  Hopes,  prosperi- 
ties, joys,  and  jubilations ! 

Field:   Amen,  say  L     Sounds  right,  anyhow. 

Cadman  (to  Dawson):  What  are  you  fixin'  up  for,  Jake? 
Looks  like  a  shivaree  was  on. 

Mrs.  Field:  Who's  marrying?    I  haven't  heard  of  it. 

Field:  Then  it's  all  off,  ma.    Trust  you. 

Mollie  (aside) :  Who  could  have  told  them  ?  I  sent  my  note 
direct  to  Charlie,  in  Omaha,  and  never  said  a  word  to 
anybody  here!  (To  Dawson)  Did  you  say  somebody 
is  going  to  be  married,  Mr.  Postmaster? 


Dawson:  Well,  I  know  someone  that  ought  to  be  married; 
but  seein'  as  I'm  a  married  man  myself,  I'm  afraid  I 
can't  help  her  out.    Sorry — 

Cad  man:   Careful,  Jake! 

Dazvson:  But  if  you're  askin'  what  we're  tixin'  for  here,  it 
isn't  to  shivaree  a  weddin',  but  a  christenin',  as  the 
Elder  calls  it.  When  the  Governor  gets  his  proclama- 
tion signed,  and  stamped  with  the  state  seal  Kennard's 
goin'  to  bring,  and  read  and  declared,  and  Lancaster's 
defuncto  and  Lincoln's  de facto,  then  we're  goin'  to  start 
the  shiverin'est  shivaree  ever  shivered  an  Injun. 

Field:  Don't  you  need  a  little  practice  first?  Sort  of  tunin' 
up  of  th'  orchestra? 

Dawson:  Nary  an  objection  if  it'll  entertain  the  ladies. 
Here,  Yacob,  you  wave  the  tune  while  Bill  and  me 
fiddles.    Come  on,  boys,  with  your  whistles. 

Pfiug:  Ya,  ya.  I  vill  be  koncertmeister.  All  mit  ein  ander. 
Ready.    Ein,  zwei ;  ein,  zwei, — blay  like  tse  defil ! 

Pflug  ivaves  his  long  pipe  majestically,  and  then  as  the 
horse-fiddle,  bell,  bladder,  ivhistle,  and  clacker  start, 
he  holds  it  in  both  hands  and  puffs  vigorous  clouds  of 
tobacco.  With  the  burst  of  noise  the  door  of  the  house 
is  flung  open  by  Donovan.  Behind  him  appear  Harvey, 
Gregory  and  Butler,  the  latter  in  shirt-sleeves  with 
palm-leaf  fan.  Mrs.  Donovan  at  the  zvindow.  Dr.  Mc- 
Kesson leaves  the  Lancaster  ladies,  zvhom  he  has  been 
entertaining  in  the  background,  and  hurries  forward 
with  medicine  case. 

McKesson:  I  say,  gentlemen, — gentlemen,  I  say.  Is  it  a  sun- 
.stroke?  Is  medical  assistance  needed,  gentlemen?  I 
say. 

Field:  The  doctor  can't  forget  that  sunstroke  last  year. 
Haven't  I  told  you,  doctor,  that  the  sun  never  strikes 
twice  in  the  same  place? 

Cox:  'Fraid  this  country's  too  healthy  for  the  medical  pro- 
fession. 

Donovan:  What's  the  rumpus,  boys?  Aren't  ye  a  bit  in 
chase  o'  yourselves?    Time's  not  been  called. 


Dazvsoii:  Just  a  practice  turn,  Captain.    Field  was  doubtin' 

she'd  fiddle. 
Butler:  Any  word  from  Omaha? 
Pound:    Nothing  yet,  Governor.     We've  sent  a  boy  up  the 

trail  to  watch  for  Kennard. 
lUiy:   I  see  some  feller  on  the  Nebraska  City  trail.    Comin' 

horseback. 
Harvey:   It  must  be  Sweet.    He's  due. 
Boy:  Yep.     It's  him. 

Enter  Sivcct.    Dismounts.    Boy  takes  his  horse. 

Caduiau:  How  are  you,  Sweet.    Waiting  for  you. 

Siveet:  So  I  see,  so  I  see.  Capital  city  reception.  Well, 
Governor,  I've  brought  the  papers  (producing  them). 
Nebraska  City's  behind  us  on  this  deal.  In  fact,  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  there's  a  big  delegation  coming  up  to 
celebrate  the  day — prominent  citizens,  band,  flags, 
militia, — on  the  way  now.    I  came  on  ahead. 

Da7vson:   Hurrah  for  Nebraska  City! 

All:   Hurrah!   Hurrah! 

Butler:  You've  done  your  part,  Sweet.  And  Harvey  here's 
done  his.  And  I've  got  my  proclamation  all  ready. 
Now  if  Gillespie  and  Kennard  will  only  show  up  with 
the  seal.    They  ought  to  be  in  sight. 

Enter  messenger  on  horseback,  as  if  from  hard  journey. 

Messenger  (excitedly) :  Is  Governor  Butler  here  ?  Message 
for  Governor  Butler ! 

Gregory:  Here!    Here  he  is. 

Butler  (reading  the  message  ivhich  he  has  torn  open):  "Ken- 
nard got  away  last  night  with  the  seal  hidden  under  the 
seat  of  his  buggy.  Omaha  has  discovered  the  trick  and 
is  sending  a  posse  in  pursuit.  Kennard's  start  is  small ; 
chances  are  against  him.  I  can  do  nothing  at  this  end." 
Signed,  "Gillespie."" 

Consternation.    Szveet  whistles  dubiously.     Crowd  gathers. 

Mollie  (aside) :  Charlie  got  my  note  all  right ! 
Butler  (to  Messenger) :  Did  you  pass  them  on  the  way 
Messenger:   Had  to  come  by  another  trail. 
Butler:   See  anything  of  Kennard? 


!• 


Messenger:   Nothing.     Oh,  I  did  see  a  bugg}'  mired  in  the 

Platte.     Maybe  that  was  him. 
Cadman  (sarcastically) :    Maybe  it  was ! 
Butler  I  savagely ) :  Of  all  of  God's  fools!     Boys,  looks  like 

the  game  was  up. 
Siveet:    There's  a  chance  yet.     Make  up  a  crowd,  quick! 

Where's  my  horse? 

Etitcr  Boy,  runniug. 

Boy:    Hey,    fellers!      There's   a   buggy   comin'    down    the 

Omaha  trail !    Drivin'  like  Jehosaphat ! 
Gregory:  It's  Kennard. 
Cadman:  Must  be  Kennard. 
Butler  (wiping  his  brozc) :   If  it's  Kennard,  we're  saved. 

Enter  Kennard  in  dust-covered  buggy.  He  throzvs  the  reins 
to  the  Boy  and  jumps  from  the  buggy  ivith  a  package 
in  his  arms. 

Kennard:   Not  a  minute  to  lose!  They're  after  me — half  a 

mile  back! 

Sti'eet:  Quick!     Into  the  house.  Donovan,  you  hold  'em  at 

the  door. 

Sweet  hurries  Butler  into  the  house,  folloived  by  Kennard, 
Harvey,  Gregory,  and  Cadynan.  Donovan  seats  him- 
self nonchalantly  on  the  door-step. 

Donovan:  Boy,  you  hustle  that  buggy  out  of  sight.  Now, 
folks,  don't  huddle  up  like  a  lot  of  poodles.  Spread 
out  and  smile.     Sing  a  hymn  or  dance  a  spanking  jack! 

Dawson:  Sure,  this  is  a  pic-nic  we're  havin'. — a  quiet  neigh- 
borhood afifair. 

Young:  Ah,  yes;  we  must  compose  our.selves  into  a  bucolic 
scene, — classical  and  pastoral  as  befits  the  environment 
of  the  Lancaster  Association's  Young  Females'  Sem- 
inary. 

Boy:  Here  they  come,  on  the  jump! 

Enter  Posse,  five  or  si.x  men,  cowboy  type,  as  if  just  dis- 
mounted. 

Leader:  Where's  Kennard? 


Donovan:   How  are  you,  stranger.    Lookin'  for  somebody? 

Leader:  Where's  Kennard,  I  say? 

Datvson:  Has  a  horse  been  stole?  We  haven't  seen  no 
horsethief  in  these  parts. 

Mrs.  field:  A  horsethief  ! 

Mrs.  Cox:  Lawkamercy,  a  horsethief! 

Leader:  See  here,  no  fooHn' 

McKesson:  I  say,  ladies!  Gentlemen,  I  say!  You're  dis- 
turbing the  ladies,  gentlemen !  Ladies,  the  gentlemen 
are  disturbing  you !  As  a  gentleman  myself  and  a 
medical  man,  I  say 

Leader:  Cut  it  short !  We're  after  Mr.  Secretary  of  State 
Kennard  and  the  great  seal  of  the  state  of  Nebraska 
which  he  has  illegally  lifted  from  Omaha.  Just  fet 
off'n  that  stoop.  Captain  Donovan.    We're  goin'  in. 

Donovan:  Intrude  on  a  wedding!  A  private  home-affair 
wedding!  Not  while  Captain  William  T.  Donovan  is 
sitting  guard  over  his  own  roof-tree  and  door-step,  an 
I  thank  ye ! 

Leader:  We  know  what  sort  of  a  weddin'  you're  havin'. 
Out  of  the  way  'fore  you  get  hurt ! 

Donovan:  Shy  bride,  blushing  groom.  It's  the  most  con- 
nubial nuptials  this  town  ever  hymenized.  When  an 
important  matter  like  the  changing  of  a  name  is  taking 
place  in  my  house,  'tis  not  to  be  interfered  with. 

Daivson:  Can't  you  see  we're  just  gettin'  ready  the  shiva- 
ree?    (Rasps  the  horse- fiddle.) 

Young:    Ah.  yes  ;  and  the  christening 

Field:  ?Iold  on.  Elder;  you're  a  bit  previous  with  your 
christenings.    They're  just  getting  married. 

Leader:  The  whole  bunch  of  you's  too  previous.  Come  on, 
boys! 

Omaha  advances  threateningly.  Lancaster  steps  fortvard 
as  if  to  resist,  .hist  then  "Mollie,"  ivlio  has  been  edging 
round  toward  the  Omaha  group,  rushes  forward  and 
throws  herself  herself  into  the  arms  of  one  of  them. 

Mollie:  O  Charlie.  Charlie  I    Don't  let  them  hurt  you! 
Charlie:  Mollie,  darling! 


Leader:  What  does  this  mean? 
Donovan:  Somebody's  being  mollified,  that's  all. 
Daivson:  Didn't  we  tell  you  these  was  marryin'  doin's? 
Leader:  Hang  this  crowd !    Boys 

As  Omaha  turns  threateningly,  tlie  sound  of  ''Dixie,"  played 
by  drum  and  fife,  is  heard,  and  in  marches  Nebraska 
City,  flags  flying,  militia  with  guns  in  hand.  Omaha 
backs  aivay  from  the  door,  ivhile  the  soldiers  line  up 
with  presented  arms.  The  door  of  the  house  opens  and 
Harvey  and  Sweet  rush  out. 

Harvey,  Szveet:  Hurrah  for  Nebraska  City! 
Lancasterites:  Hurrah  !    Hurrah  ! 

Governor  Butler  appears  upon  the  door-step,  bare-headed, 
long  coat,  palm-leaf  fan  in  one  hand,  the  proclamation, 
sealed  with  a  large  red  seal,  in  the  other.  Behind  him 
Cadman  and  Gregory,  zvearing  silk  tiles.  Butler  raises 
his  hand  for  attention. 

Butler  (reading):  "To  Whom  it  ]\Iay  Concern:  Know  ye, 
That  on  this,  the  14th  day  of  August,  Anno  Domini 
1867,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  in  us  vested  and  in 
accordance  with  'An  Act  to  provide  for  the  location  of 
the  Seat  of  Government  of  the  State  of  Nebraska  and 
for  the  erection  of  public  buildings  thereat,  approved 
June  14th,  1867,'  we  the  undersigned  Commissioners, 
on  this,  the  14th  day  of  August,  Anno  Domini  1867, 
have,  by  actual  view,  selected  the  following  described 
lands,  belonging  to  the  State,  viz. :  The  southeast  quar- 
ter of  section  twenty-three;  the  west  half  of  the  north- 
west quarter,  and  the  east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter 
of  section  twenty-five ;  the  west  half  of  section  twenty- 
six  of  township  number  ten,  north  of  range  number  six. 
east  of  the  sixth  principal  meridian,  and  have  located 
the  Seat  of  Government  of  the  State  of  Nebraska  upon 
said  described  lands,  as  a  town  to  be  known  as  Lincoln. 
Further,  that  we  have  Ujjon  the  day  above  mentioned, 
designated  within  said  location,  the  re.servation  for 
the  Capitol  building.  State  University  and  Agricultmal 
College.     Parks  and  other  reservations  contemplated  in 


the  aforesaid  act  will  be  properly  designated  upon  a 
plan  and  filed  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 
Done  at  Lincoln,  Lancaster  county,  Nebraska,  this  14th 
day  of  August,  Anno  Domini  1867."  Signed,  "David 
Butler,  Thomas  P.  Kennard,  John  Gillespie,  Com- 
missioners." And  sealed  with  the  great  seal  of  the 
sovereign  commonwealth  of  Nebraska ! 

Cheers,  drums,  horse-fiddle,  hell,  clackers,  etc. 

Srveet:  Long  live  Lincoln,  capital  of  the  great  state  of  Ne- 
braska ! 
All:  Lincoln  forever !  Lincoln  forever !    Hurrah !   Hurrah ! 

As  the  noise  subsides.  Elder  Young,  umbrella  in  hand, 
mounts  a  bench,  ivhile  "Mollie"  and  "Charlie"  drazv 
near. 

Young:  Brethren  and  Sisters,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen:  In 
token  of  this  glorious  occasion,  marking  the  unification 
of  the  sentimental  affections  of  the  people  of  the  beauti- 
ful plains  of  Nebraska  in  a  capital  city  to  be  erected 
upon  a  site  already  consecrated  to  higher  things  by  the 
Lancaster  Association's  Young  Females'  Seminary,  I 
have  to  make  to  you  the  happiest  of  announcements. 
(Cheers).  South  Platte  is  with  us,  in  spirit  and  in 
flesh, — the  high-spirited  citizens  of  Nebraska  City,  the 
beauteous  dames  of  Yankee  Hill.  But  today,  for  the 
first  time,  North  Platte  is  also  with  us.  In  the  person 
of  this  young  man,  who  has  come  with  our  friends 
from  Omaha,  I  present  to  you  the  dove  of  peace, — 
whose  mission  shall  unite  as  one  state  and  one  polity 
what  the  broad-bosomed  Platte  has  vainly  held  asunder. 
Drawn  by  the  virgin  beauties  of  Yankee  Hill,  this 
youth  has  come  among  us  to  take  with  him  hence  a 
portion  of  those  beauties;  and  this  day,  which  has 
united  North  and  South  Nebraska  with  the  spiritual 
bond  of  a  central  capital  city,  is  to  find  that  union  sym- 
bolized in  the  marriage  of  the  youthful  manhood  and 
lovely  womanhood  of  the  two  great  regions.  (Cheers). 
Charles  and  Mollie,  I  pronounce  you  man  and  wife! 

Another  burst  of  noise.  Procession  forms,  and  all  march 
out  to  wedding  march. 

INTERMISSION 


SCENE  V 
MEDLEY  OF  UNIVERSITY  LIFE 


SCENE  V 

E)itey  Students,  four  youths  and  four  inaids,  of  the  early 
sei'enties.     They  salute. 

Students:  In  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-one 

Nebraska's  University, 
To  mother's  daughter  and  mother's  son 

Did  make  the  path  of  knowledge  free. 
Dear  old  Nebraska  then  began 
To  turn  the  boy  into  the  man ; 
Dear  old  Nebraska  then  essayed 
To  mold  the  woman  from  the  maid ; 
To  comb  the  hayseed  from  the  hay — 
We've  said  all  that  we  have  to  say ! 

As  then,  so  now 

We  make  our  bow, — 
Nebraska's  University ! 

They  part,  right  and  left.  Enter  Student  and  Coed,  a  ''solid 
couple,"  perusing  intently  one  book,  which  both  hold. 

Both  (reading):  Amo.  .  .  amas.  ,  .  amamus. . . 

He  (impulsively):  Amo! 

5"/?^  (coyly):   Amasne? 

He  (ardently) :  Darling,  ego  amo  te! 

She  (aside) :  Egg  omelette  and  tea !    That's  easy  ! 

Both  (reading):  Amabo  .  .  .    amabis  .  .  .    amabimus  .  .  . 

She  (fervently) :  No  court  shall  sever 

Our  two  hearts  for  ever! 

He  (pensively):  Amo...  amo...  Somehow  it  seems  to 
remind  me  of  home.     I  wonder  why? 

She  (absently) :  "The  horned  crescent  Moon  wanderelh 
toward  the  milky  way  .  .  ." 

He:  Ah,  that's  it!  The  old  cow  m(»in'  to  be  milked! 
Amo  .  .  .  It's  a  truth  word  and  a  beauty  word  and  an 
experience  word,  isn't  it?  besides  being  Latin! 
Amo-o-o  ...    Here  comes  the  cow ! 

Enter  Youth  in  overalls,  strazu  sombrero,  leading  a  Cote 
(grotesque,  zvith  goggle  eyes,  and  beribboned  horns); 
he  tugs  at  the  rope. 


Youth:  Mie  up!    Hie  up,  Dilemma! 

Student:   Dilemma!    Why  is  she  named  Dilemma? 

Youth:  Because  we  have  to  buy  corn  for  her. 

Student:  Buy  corn  for  her!    What's  that  to  do  with  it? 

Youth:   \Vell,  a  dilemma  has  two  horns,  hasn't  it? 

Student:   Yes,  a  dilemma  is  two-horned.    But 

Youth:  "Cudgel  thy  brains  no  more!"  Whatever  is  two- 
horned  is  bicornis, — that's  the  Latin  of  it.  And  don't 
we  have  to  buy  corn  for  any  cow  that  pastures  on  this 
weed-patch  of  a  campus? 

The  Youth  strokes  the  Coiv  affectionately,  to  which  she  re- 
sponds with  cozvlike  caresses.    He  sings. 

Youth:    There  was  once  an  old  cow  on  the  Campus, 

She  was  famed  for  her  strong  constitution ; 
Her  erudite  presence  did  stamp  us 
As  a  highly  advanced  institution  : 
She  bellowed  in  Latin, 

When  she  mooed  'twas  in  Greek. 
On  Sanscrit  she'd  fatten 

Inside  of  a  week, 
And  a  Teutonic  scald 

Would  have  known  when  she  baVvled, 
That  his  tongue  without  battin' 
An  eye  she  could  speak. 

Chorus:  Co,  Boss!    Co,  Boss!    Co,  Boss!    Come! 
Oh,  you  remind  me  so  of  home ! 
Vergil's  bucolics 
Are  your  pastural  frolics 
(For  cowlicks  are  cowlicks 
Wherever  we  roam). 

Cow:   Nowadays  there  are  cows  that  are  fatter, 
There  are  kine  of  unusual  sizes ; 
They  butcher  more  steaks  to  the  platter, 
And  they  win  agricultural  prizes : 
Their  bovine  hearts  flutter 

With  a  bovininc  pride 
In  records  for  butter, 
For  hair  and  for  hide : 


But  none  of  them  speak 

Either  Latin  or  Greek, 
Xot  a  word  can  they  utter 

In  tongues  dead  and  dried ! 

Chorus:  Co,  Boss!    Co,  Boss!    Co,  Boss!    Come  I 
Oh,  she  reminded  me  so  of  home ! 
Vergil's  bucolics 
Were  her  pastural  frolics 
(For  cowlicks  are  cowlicks 
Even  in  Rome). 

The  Cow  begins  contentedly  to  chew  her  cud;  the  Youth 
gives  the  rope  a  hitch  about  his  arm,  takes  a  book  from 
his  pocket,  and  stretches  himself  on  the  ground  for  a 
study  period.    Enter  Awkzvard  Squad. 

Officer:  Right  about,  face!  Forward,  march!  Hep  .  .  . 
hep  .  .  .  hep  .  .  .  (They  come  up  behind  the  Cow) 
Halt !  Hep  .  .  .  hep  .  .  .  hep  .  .  .  (Aside)  How  am  I 
ever  to  get  them  around  that  cow  ?  (Consults  drill 
hook.) 

The  Coze  turns  and  looks  reproachfully  at  the  Squad.  She 
lowers  her  head  and  shakes  her  horns,  pawing  the 
ground  in  time  ivith  "Hep,  hep,"  of  the  flustered  officer. 

Coiv  (belloiL'ing) :   Ur-r-r-rh  ! 

Officer:  Right  about,  face!  (The  Cow  obeys;  the  Squad 
marks  time  in  its  tracks.)  Double-quick,  charge!  (The 
Cow  charges  and  the  Squad  splits.)  Halt!  (The  Cozv 
Zi'hirls  about,  bringing  to  his  feet  the  Youth  zvith  the 
rope  about  his  arm.)  Hep  .  .  .  hep  .  .  .  (The  Cozv  and 
the  Squad  mark  time.) 

Youth  (to  the  Cozv):  Hi,  you  prong-horned  sister  of  Satan  ! 
(To  the  Officer):  Bellum  Hclvetiuni !  What  you  doin' 
to  the  College  Cow? 

Officer:  Helium  Belvetium !  She  split  my  squad  and  I  can't 
get  'cm  together  again. 

Youth:  Well,  that  is  a  dilemma!  She's  living  up  to  her 
name,  all  right ! 

Cozv:  Moo-oo-oo! 


Youth:  Milking  time!  There  comes  the  Sem.  Bot.  They 
always  dismiss  when  they  hear  her  bawl. 

Sem.  Bot.  (each  ivith  a  huge  yellow  snnflozver) :  Pie,  canis, 
pie !    Old  Gold  forever ! 

As  they  advance,  the  eight  first  comers  zvave  Old  Gold  pen- 
ants,  the  Azvkzvard  Squad  yellozv  bandannas.  Waving 
their  sunflozvers  the  Sem.  Bot.  lead  in  the  singing  of 
"Old  Gold"  (tune  of  Tzvickenham  Ferry). 

Old  Gold  is  the  color  that  waves  for  Nebraska, 

Old  Gold  is  the  color  we'll  ever  hold  dear. 
When  our  banners  unfurl  to  the  gold  of  the  sunshine 

United  we'll  hail  them  with  cheer  upon  cheer! 
'Tis  the  hue  of  the  goldenrod,  hue  of  the  sunflower, 

The  color  of  corn  and  of  ripening  wheat ; 
Oh.  we'll  sing  for  Old  Gold  and  we'll  cheer  for  Nebraska, 

On  field  and  in  forum,  wherever  we  meet! 

As  they  sing,  latter  day  students  (class  caps,  senior  goivns. 
etc.)  enter  zvith  scarlet  and  cream  penants.  There  fol- 
lozvs  on  evolution  of  the  tzvo  divisions,  in  a  kind  of 
formal  pcnnnt  dance,  interzveaving  the  old  and  the  nezv 
colors.  In  the  final  formation  flic  neiv  colors  are  to  the 
fore.     They  sing  "Scarlet  and  Cream." 

Sing  to  the  colors  that  float  in  the  light. 

Hurrah  for  the  Scarlet  and  Cream ! 
Scarlet  the  hue  of  the  roses  so  bright, 
And  pale  is  the  lily's  fair  gleam. 

Scarlet  the  east  at  the  breaking  of  dawn, 
And  scarlet  the  west  when  the  sun  is  gone, 
Hail !    Hail  to  the  colors  that  float  in  the  light. 
Hurrah  for  the  Scarlet  and  Cream ! 

Scarlet  the  ruby,  the  jewel  so  rare. 
With  colors  so  brilliant  and  true ; 
Pale  is  the  pearl  so  bright  and  so  fair. 
And  clear  as  the  drop  of  dew. 

Bright  are  our  colors,  as  fair  as  a  dream, 
Hurrah  for  Nebraska,  and  Scarlet  and  Cream, 
Hail !   Hail  to  the  colors  that  shine  in  the  light, 
Hurrah  for  the  Scarlet  and  Cream ! 


Here's  to  the  college  whose  colors  we  wear; 

Here's  to  the  hearts  that  are  true. 
Hail,  Alma  Mater,  Nebraska  so  fair ! 
Hail  to  our  colors  too. 

Garlands  of  Scarlet  and  Cream  intertwine. 
And  hearts  that  are  true  and  voices  combine, 
Hail !   Hail  to  the  college  whose  colors  we  wear, 
Hurrah  for  the  Scarlet  and  Cream ! 

As  the  song  ceases,  a  harlequin  of  the  foot-ball  field  runs 
forward  and  leads  in  the  University  yells.  Immediately 
a  roll  of  famous  players  is  begun,  passed  rapidly  from 
mouth  to  month:  Fair.  Skiles.  Flippin.  Yont.  Tur- 
ner. Pearse.  Shedd.  Bender.  Borg.  Westover. 
Benedict.  Hunter.  Ringer.  Weller.  Shonka.  Frank. 
Halligan.  Chamberlain.  Rutherford.  During  the  roll- 
call,  men  in  football  costume  enter  and  give  exhibition 
kicking,  passing,  and  tackling.  Again  the  University 
yell,  folloived  by  (a)  snake-dance,  (b)  cadets  in  exhibi- 
tion drill,  (c)  girls  in  "Midsummer  Night's  Dream" 
All  form  for  a  march,  and  pass  out  singing: 

Oh,  the  dear  college  day, 
When  life's  at  her  May, 
And  with  thrill  o'  the  heart 
All  the  world  is  astart! 
When  faces  arc  beaming, 
When  love  is  adreaming, 
And  the  song  of  endeavor 
O'er  the  hill  calls  away! 
We'll  remember  it  ever, 
Thit  dear  college  day, 
When  life's  at  her  May.  .  . 
When  life's  at  her  May! 


NO  INTHRMISSION 


SCENE  VI 
THE  GRASSHOPPERS  AND  AFTER 


SCENE  VI 


The  orchestra  opens  vuith  light  and  graceful  variations  upon 
a  theme  indicative  of  joy  and  summertime.  In  parallel 
groups,  from  several  points,  enter  the  Fields — girlish 
forms,  with  costumes  symbolic  of  Jl'heat.  Corn,  the 
Grasses,  etc.  They  dance  joyously  ichile  the  Chorus 
sings. 
Fields:  We  are  the  Fields,  the  singing  Fields, 

Each  in  turn  her  treasure  yields. 
Through  the  golden  summer  days, 
On  through  autumn's  ruddy  haze.  . . 
Daughters  of  the  Prairies ! 

Darlings  of  the  Sun ! 
One  by  one  we  break  the  sod, 
Ripen  one  by  one! 
Corn:  Dancing  through  the  day's  delight, 

^Vhispering  to  the  listening  night .  .  . 
Wheat:  I-ight  and  shadow. 

Hide  and  seek, 
PTilly  slope 
To  shady  creek  ... 
Oats  and  Rye :  Ph\mes  and  tresses  lift  and  nod 
O'er  the  prairie's  verdant  sod .  .  . 
Meadou>grass:T>ozmg,  dewy  end  of  day, 

Where  the  fire-fly  lanterns  play; 
In  the  morning  webbed  and  pearled 
Opening  to  the  sunny  world.  .  . 
Fields:  We  are  the  Fields,  the  dancing  Fields! 

Gladly  each  her  treasure  yields. .  . 
Daughters  of  the  Prairies! 

Darlings  of  the  Sun! 
One  by  one  we  break  the  sod, 
Ripen  one  by  one! 

The  Fields  circle  about  in  animated  dance.  Meantime  the 
grisly,  ogling  forms  of  the  Raveners  (the  terrible 
Grasshoppers)  arc  silently  gathering,  staring  hungrily 
at  the  lithe  dancers.  Suddenly  the  Fields  perceive 
them;   they  flee  hither  and  thither  in  panic. 


Fields:   The  Raveners  I    The  Raveners ! 

The  Grasshoppers  advance,  clumsily  hopping  in  pursuit  noiv 
of  this  one,  nozv  of  that;  threatening  with  their  an- 
tennae; ogling  zvith  glozy  eyes;  pursuing  the  terrified 
Fields  to  a  strident  song. 

Grasshoppers:  Oats\     Corn!     Rye!     Wheat! 

Wherever  we  find  them,  there  we  eat ; 
Wherever  they  grow  we  make  our  camp, 
Fill  our  bellies,  chew  and  champ ! 
Rye!    Wheat!    Oats!    Corn! 
Green  at  even,  gray  at  morn ; 
Green  in  the  morning,  gray  at  eve, — 
Naugh.t  but  the  dead  stalks  do  we  leave ! 
Wheat!    Oats!    Corn!    Rye! 
On  labor  of  men  we  thrive,  say  I ! 
Wherever  they  sow  'tis  ours  to  reap, — 
Champ  and  chew  where  living's  cheap ! 

]  III  He  the  clumsy  Grasshoppers  pursue  the  friglitened 
Fields,  from  the  vantage  of  the  trees  come  the  aveng- 
ing Birds — Bluebird,  Blackbird,  Jay,  Lark,  and  all  the 
winged  tribe — driving  the  Raveners  before  them. 

Birds:  After  them!    After  them! 

After  the  Raveners ! 
Winged  ones  all, 
Hark  the  call! 
On  the  pirates  swiftly  fall ! 
Ho,  ye  Valkyrs  of  the  skies, 
Ours  shall  be  a  dread  surprise ! 
Where  they  slaughter  we  shall  slay. 
From  break  of  day  to  break  of  day ! 
After  them !    After  them ! 
After  the  Raveners ! 

The  Birds  drive  the  Grasshoppers  after  the  Fields.  As  all 
recede,  the  music  changes  from  tumultuous  pursuit  to 
graceful  motion  and  clear,  szveet  melody.  From  the 
center  there  enters  the  Spirit  of  the  IVesf,  silvery- 
7-eiled,  mysterious.  She  turns  and  beckons,  as  if  sum- 
moning her  folloivers. 


Song:  Golden  Hopes,  golden  Hopes, 

Lo,  I  bid  you  follow  me 
Where  the  gate  of  morning  opes 

Aye  entrancingly .  . . 
Oh,  heart  of  mine,  they  dear  surmise 

Maketh  me  to  see 
Shining  hope  in  all  the  sky's 

Blue  serenity. 

Sun  and  rain  will  come  again, 

Tender  green  the  fields  will  show, 
Harvest  come  with  yellow  grain. 

Where  the  prairie  flowers  blow . . . 
Oh.  where  the  breezes  bring  caress, 

Where  cool  rivers  flow. 
Fairy  Hopes  will  come  to  bless 

Life  with  golden  glow. 

As  she  summons  them,  the  little  golden  Hopes — fairy-like 
children — come  shyly  and  gather  about  her.  Like  a 
ring-round-the-rose  they  dance  around  the  Spirit  of  the 
West,  others  and  yet  others  follozving,  till  she  is  the 
center  of  a  zvhole  garden  of  shining  Hopes,  gaily 
circling  about  her 

Hopes:  Hopes  we  are  for  men  and  women, 

Hopes  we  are  for  youth  and  maid ! 
Hopes  we  are  for  all  the  future, 

Glad  of  heart  and  unafraid ! 
On  the  soil  of  broad  Nebraska, 

While  the  sun  shall  tell  his  days. 
Golden  Hopes  shall  be  men's  children, 

Golden  Hopes  will  sing  God's  praise ! 

They  part,  right  and  left,  as  the  Spirit  of  Progress  enters. 
The  Fields,  the  Birds,  the  Grasshoppers,  and  others 
(gather  at  the  zvings,  so  that  the  whole  group  forms 
a  crescent  bozv  (symbol  of  Hope),  zvith  the  Spirit 
of  the  West  like  a  star  zvitliin  its  arms.  Again  the 
Hymn  to  Nebraska. 


Chorus:  Nebraska,  O  Nebraska, 

Thee  we  obey! 
Jewelled  with  the  Night,  Nebraska, 

Diademed  with  Day! 
Nebraska,  O  Nebraska, 

Land  with  promise  blest, 
Brightest  of  the  stars  emblazoned, 

Queen  of  the  West ! 

Exeunt,  marching. 


THE  END 


f  '"^ 


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